Sunday 19 November 2017

What Better Reason to Travel than to Welcome your First Grandchild into the World? Australia January 2017

Booking our trip to Australia was tricky to get the timing right but we lucked out to be there to see ‘Dani and Al’ pregnant and then visit newborn Finn a few hours after his birth.  We flew to Tamworth from Sydney where Dot, Al’s Mom lives.  Dot hosted our stay as well as drove us down to Scone to see the expectant couple and their new home.  The baby was overdue by a week and with the excruciating hot spell in Australia, they were more than anxious to give birth.

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The drive back to Tamworth was very scenic in the afternoon sun.  We stopped for a ‘walk about’ in a park commemorating British prisoners from long ago, transported to Australian  prison camps.

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The following day, February 6, we got ‘The Call’ Dani is in labour!  A few  hours later, we were on our way to Scone Hospital to meet Finn, James McEachern. 

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In the middle of the night, the unexpected occurred as Finn became jaundiced and his Mom and Dad had to drive him a couple of hours away to a hospital with a larger neonatal unit.  Finn spent a number of hours each day in an incubator and was on a strict feeding regimen.

Dot and Chris and I took a day trip to Uralla where we enjoyed the gorgeous countryside and quaint old town. 

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Gotta love the Aussie sense of humour in social messages.

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Modern drover.

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Thunderbolt’s Hideout Rock  (famous bushranger & criminal)

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Sunset from Dot’s Queensland room.

Chris and I drove down and stayed in a hotel to be close to the hospital even though we had very restricted visiting hours.  We walked around the town of Morpeth in the record breaking 47 degree temperature.  A couple of hours in a movie theatre cooled us down and filled up some of our day while we awaited our next visit with our grandbaby.  Finn’s condition improved rapidly and he was able to go home after six days.  Although the ordeal was stressful, Dani and Al learned many parenting tips from the excellent midwives there.

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The shop with a teapot shaped like any creature or object known to mankind.

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Finn goes home!

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We moved in to a motel in Scone so that we could visit Finn but let Dani, Al, Finn and dogs Salty and Pretzel get settled as a new family.  Everyone we talked to mentioned the insane heat and highest recorded temperatures in over three hundred years.  We spent hours in the pool that was a few degrees cooler than the air.  Forest fires are always a hazard in Australia but such high winds and temperatures made conditions worse.  We watched as smoke rose above the nearby mountains and filled the air with acrid yellow clouds that sullied the sunlight.  We watched birds ‘pant’ for their survival.  We had never experienced heat like that anywhere before.

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We took a fabulous drive in our rental car out into the countryside past equestrian ranches and up towards the mountains.

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With Finn more settled at home, Chris and I moved in to the guest room and immersed ourselves in the adventures of new parents and new baby.  We cheered the event and our new titles: Grammy and Grandy, with Champagne and a gorgeous cheese and fruit board.  We strolled the town and parks of Scone and we all took Finn on his first public outing to a local cafe.   Since Chris’s visit was almost over, Al took him for a trip up into the countryside and got up close to a few Roos as well. 

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Dot, travelled down from Tamworth to meet her new grandson. in Scone.  Liz and Curt in Boston gave Dot her first grandchild, Genevieve a year and on half ago.  Nanna meets Finn.  Can you see the love?

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Grandy says goodbye and flies home to our four-legged baby Dixie.

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The house is filled with gorgeous flowers and cards of congratulations.   The public health nurse visited to measure and weigh Finn and confirm that he was healthy and happy.  Check and check. 

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Always dramatic skies and sunsets in Australia.

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Every morning, early, I took a long walk before the temperatures were sweltering.  Scone is a cute town with all the useful shops, groceries, drugstore within a short walk.  The houses all vary in style and the gardens, even in the heat, were gorgeous.  At the top of Dani and Al’s street is Scone Mountain and beautiful fields where cattle and horses graze.

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Looking towards the mountain up D&A’s street.

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Amazing views down over Scone and surrounding hills.

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Anise grows wild in Australia and fields are fragrant with licorice.

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Ha ha!

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Cute caravan hiding in a backyard.

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When you pass a cow, you must say hello.

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Hello Dave!

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Scone’s funky old theatre to be renovated soon.

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D&A’s backyard & Shed at the home D&A bought last December

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Lots of room for Salty & Pretzel and clothesline to hold Finn’s onsies and blankets.  A beautiful and productive orange tree grows in the back.

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Kitchen & pantry where Dani creates her magic.

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Guest room.  A cozy place for grandparents to stay!

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Finn’s Wonderful Room, created by Dani

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Al had been off work on Paternity Leave for three weeks, standard in Australia for new Dad’s!  Right on!!  Before he returned to work, a country daytrip to Barrington Tops  introduced Finn to favourite activities of his Mom and Dad, hiking and picnics.  The temperatures at the higher elevations were cool and a refreshing relief to the heat in the valley.  As you can see from the images, we had a wonderful day and Finn enjoyed every minute of it too.

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Wallaby.

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Oh, really?

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Feral goats live in the hills.

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Exhausted Finn after his big day.

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Finn joins Dani and friends for High Tea.

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Dot and Malcolm visit.

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Dani, Salty, Pretzel and I hike up Scone Mountain to see the amazing views over the town and countryside.  Such a great place to hike with the dogs and Finn only a ten minute walk from home.

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I say a teary goodbye to this beautiful family.

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I sobbed my way into Sydney airport to head for Canada.

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